God's Sovereignty in Christ's Redemptive Work
God's Sovereignty in Christ's Redemptive Work
The concept of God's sovereignty in Christ's redemptive work is rooted in biblical teachings that portray Christ as the supreme authority and power over all creation. As the Son of God, Christ's power is described as unlimited, glorious, and everlasting [1]. This sovereignty is exercised in various aspects, including creation, salvation, and the upholding of all things.
The biblical basis for Christ's sovereignty is found in several passages. In Ephesians 1:20-22, Christ is said to be seated at the right hand of God, far above all principality and power, and has been given as head over all things to the church [3]. Similarly, in Colossians 1:16-17, it is written that all things were created through Christ and for Christ, and that He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together. This establishes Christ's role as the mediator and sovereign head over His church.
The sovereignty of God in Christ's redemptive work is also reflected in the concept of Christ's kingly office. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions: prophet, priest, and king. As King, Christ is sovereign Head over His Church and over all things to His Church [3]. This kingly office is exercised in the salvation of believers, where Christ is described as the one who has redeemed them from the power of darkness and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son [7].
The power and sovereignty of God in Christ's redemptive work are also highlighted in the Psalms. Psalm 47:8 declares that God reigns over the nations and sits on His holy throne. Similarly, Psalm 147:5 affirms that the Lord is great and mighty in power, with an infinite understanding [4, 6].
In interpreting Christ's sovereignty, various Christian traditions emphasize different aspects. According to John Gill, Christ's sovereignty is demonstrated in His works of creation, providence, and redemption. He is the mighty God, the Almighty, who has accomplished the redemption of His people [9]. Matthew Henry, on the other hand, highlights Christ's conquest over His enemies, emphasizing that He will certainly bring to nought all opposition made to His kingdom [8].
The sovereignty of God in Christ's redemptive work is also linked to the concept of assurance. The full assurance of faith is a confidence in God's power and love, which is grounded in the redemption accomplished by Christ [5]. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, the love of God is sovereign, great, and abiding, and is manifested towards perishing sinners and saints alike [2].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of Christ, The — As the Son of God, is the power of God -- Joh 5:17-19; 10:28-30. As man, is from the Father -- Ac 10:38. Described as Supreme. -- Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. Unlimited. -- Mt 28:18. Over all flesh. -- Joh 17:2. Over all things. -- Joh 3:35; Eph 1:22. Glorious. -- 2Th 1:9. Everlasting. -- 1Ti 6:16. Is able to subdue all things -- Php 3:21. Exhibited in Creation. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. Upholding all things. -- Col 1:17; Heb 1:3. Salvation. -- Isa 63:1; Heb 7:25. His teaching. -- Mt 7:28,29; Lu 4:32. Working miracles. -- Mt 8:27; Lu 5:17. Enabling ot”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Psalms “God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. -- Psalms 47:8”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Psalms “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. -- Psalms 147:5”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 1:12: Here is a summary of the doctrine of the gospel concerning the great work of our redemption by Christ. It comes in here not as the matter of a sermon, but as the matter of a thanksgiving; for our salvation by Christ furnishes us with abundant matter of thanksgiving in every view of it: Giving thanks unto the Father, Col 1:12. He does not discourse of the work of redemption in the natural order of it; for then he would speak of the purchase of it first, and afterwards of the application of it. But here he inverts the order, because, in our sense and feeling of ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 110:5: Here we have our great Redeemer, I. Conquering his enemies (Psa 110:5, Psa 110:6) in order to the making of them his footstool, Psa 110:1. Our Lord Jesus will certainly bring to nought all the opposition made to his kingdom, and bring to ruin all those who make that opposition and persist in it. He will be too hard for those, whoever they may be, that fight against him, against his subjects and the interest of his kingdom among men, either by persecutions or by perverse disputings. Observe here, 1. The conqueror: The Lord - Adonai, the Lord Jesus, he to whom all ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 45:3: Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty,.... As Christ is, the mighty God, even the Almighty, and which appears by his works of creation and providence; by the redemption of his people; by his care and government of them; by succouring them under all their temptations and afflictions; by strengthening them for every service, duty, and suffering; by pleading their cause, and supplying their wants; by preserving them to his kingdom and glory; by raising them from the dead at the last day, and by introducing them into the possession of the heavenly inheritance. This”